Something deep down always asked what there could possibly be to gain from sleep. What could there be to achieve from knocking out and letting time pass around you? Laying there, frozen in time, seeing meaningless colors and pictures form with no control, losing moments that could be used on action. Sure, rest is important and it feels good to greet the morning with energy, but it is a wonder if those things could possibly be worth more than using your time while you have it. Especially on nights like this.

Sleep eluded me. It often did, and on nights like this one I already knew that trying would be a lost cause. I could feel the cogs turning in my brain at an even quicker speed than usual, as I recognized the importance of this train of thought. I paced around my room thunderously, my lean but brawny physique causing things in my room to tremble. Things were coming together. I had a skeleton of a plan and not much time left to pull it off, so the bones would have to do. I had a race to win after all, and my cunning and strategy used tonight would easily prove that I am worthy of a knightly status. Nothing shows a better wit than eliminating your opposition entirely, and that's exactly the kind of brains that this town needs to protect them. As for speed and skill, I'll have plenty of time to show that off during the race.

Feeling that there was no more time to waste thinking, I began to make my sneaky escape from my academy dorm. My large wooden door groaned as I pushed it open as slowly as possible and crept into the open hall. Quickly and without a sound, I was at the door of my trusty cohort, Cawlin.

I could trust Cawlin to help me on this mission without reserve. The short, stump of a man wasn't the brightest or most physically able, but he could take directions like a champ. Most of the time, that was what I needed. Someone who recognizes my brilliance and forward-thinking and will listen and follow orders without question, that's what I needed. And he appreciated me the way it seemed that everyone should. Guys like him gave me the hope that my talents would eventually be recognized.

"Cawlin..," I hissed his name. I had told him before night fell to be waiting up for me but knowing him, he probably just fell asleep. I hissed his name a few times more before finally being forced to put a bit of volume into my voice. "Shortie, get your butt out here!"

After what seemed like a lifetime, Cawlin's door finally creaked open and he emerged, rubbing his eyes. "Geez, you don't have to yell..," he squeaked out.

I just rolled my eyes, sleeking back my fiery hair in response. "Get Stritch and meet me at the… pen."

Scratching the back of his head and sleepily nodding, Cawlin starting waddling away to fetch the blonde stick. Meanwhile, I sneaked up the stairs and out the only door that remains unlocked at night, breathing in the fresh night air. It was a clear, dry night and a comfortable temperature for a long night walk, or even a quick trip on my loftwing into the inky sky. I could imagine the air whipping my hair back as I raced nothing in particular, leaving thoughts behind me.

But I couldn't do that tonight. I had a job to do.

There was nothing I could to to help my footsteps from echoing off the stone pathways and into the village while I crept about, leaping from balcony to platform to subvert locked gates and other harrowing things. I could feel the peaceful slumber of the inhabitants of Skyloft radiating from each of the structures I sneaked past. It felt as though there was a large blanket nestled over the entire skyland, and I could feel the life around me, but it didn't have a care in the world. It felt warm, and safe, as though nothing could disturb it. While I weaved my way through the town I found myself growing less tense and less alert. It didn't feel as though anyone would be popping out of anywhere to haul be back off to my dorm and notify Owlan of my misdeeds, but felt more as though not a soul around me would have any reason to break their sleep until their regular time in the morning.

This feeling of ease, however, was quickly stripped from me as I neared the quickest diving platform. The Knights that patrolled the sky would not take kindly to anything that I was planning on doing between now and sunrise. Years of doing what I want to do when I want to do it and "disrespecting authority" has given me everything I need to know about evading notice from the Knights patrolling in the darkness, and while I succeed quite regularly, it isn't without great care to not get caught.

I only peered into the darkness below for a brief moment before letting out as quiet of a whistle as I could manage while still catching the attention of my loftwing. My trusty companion had a keen ear and I knew he would hear despite the low volume. The late Knight patrollers usually hang a bit lower in case of any emergency, or further away from Skyloft itself. My loftwing knew exactly what do do at this late hour, flying very near to the platform so that I might quickly get into less guarded territory.

Soon, I was freed. Due to the lights they shine in front of them it was easy to keep a long distance from the Knights and I glided around for some time, looking for an obnoxiously bright feathered beast as I soared. I knew from previous nights out that the bird would be flying about aimlessly, perhaps waiting for the sun to rise, perhaps just waiting for a certain whistle. However, if all goes right tonight, it should not be able to respond to that call in due time.

Thankfully, it wasn't too long before I saw the bold creature. Because it was merely drifting along, it didn't take much for me to lightly pull up to a point where I was floating just behind the bird. I then guided my Loftwing upward until I was a few feet above the crimson brute. Then I jumped.

Though all had been silent up to this point, I hadn't accurately accounted for the bird's reaction to my landing. It screeched and squawked, and if it kept this up long enough, I would be noticed and punished. That would be far too much of a shame, given what would happen tomorrow otherwise... Being alone with her... what could a 'congratulations' hold?

I snapped back to reality because of a certain stupid aviary being's pathetic attempt at shaking it's latest assailant. It wiggled and darted around as I fumbled with the buckle on it's collar, all while guiding it nearer to the area with the pen I have set up for it. Upon finally detaching the collar from it's neck, I dove off and whistled, feeling as though the hardest part of my mission was completed, happy to have not seemingly attracted any knights' attention.

Once I landed on my Loftwing I took to cross in front of the fiery bird's sight, waving the brown collar with a smirk. It took the bait as I gladly raced to Skyloft, an angry, flaming creature hot on my tail.

I smoothy rolled to the ground after jumping, aiming for a patch of land that is only reachable from the sky or a closed-off cave. I ran into a large indent in a wall that was hand-created by me a few nights before, dropping the collar on the ground and scurrying to the side as the Loftwing dive-bombed the ground. I was admittedly grateful as Stritch and Cawlin immediately appeared behind me with long, wooden planks and string. Had they managed to mess this one up, this whole plan might have been for nothing. They sloppily slammed the planks across the entrance as the bird tried to pound its way out.

"Stand here," Stritch panted as he pathetically fended of the birds jabs.

Snorting, I took his place and held there with no effort. Just like leaning against a normal wall. As the oddly strong Cawlin and I stood our ground, wanting to cover our ears because of the damn bird's screeches, Stritch tied the planks in place. He says he knows what he's doing because of bug-traps. He has some weird affinity for bugs. He says they're treasures. I say he's crazy.

Anyway, within a minute or so, the bird was trapped with no hope for escape.

"I can't help but ask, Groose," Stritch stared as he scratched the back of his head, "when will you let this bird go?"

I frowned in annoyance, because I knew what he was really asking. Will you let it go?

"I'm gonna let it go after I win the ceremony, of course. I'm not heartless."

The three of us made it back to our room unnoticed just before the sun began to rise. When I got to my room, I changed into some daytime clothes, my stomach rumbling all the way. At precisely four-thirty I walked down the hallway to the dining hall, Stritch and Cawlin following. This is a daily occurrence.

I grabbed some fruit from the barrels and sat, the two other decent-in-any-way knights-to-be sitting across from me.

"So, Groose," Cawlin chirped with a bite of apple in his mouth, "how'd you do it?"

I looked up in confusion. What a broad question.

"You know. Capture Link's Loftwing."

I smiled. This story could be a movie, should it not get me jailed. I began to describe my efforts; the dangerous search, life-risking contact with the rabid bird-brain. "...and you guys waiting at the waterfall finished the deal; he was stuck in that pen for good."

We had a good laugh when suddenly Cawlin had a look of surprise, pointing at the door. I turned, fearing Link or, even worse, Zelda, but was greeted with some weak little shrew tip-toeing towards the door. Immediately, the three of us rose, cornering the stick against the wall. Had he gotten out, we'd be done-for.

"Hey," what's the guy's name? Ah, "Fleck." Makes sense. As an obstacle, that's all he is. "Where, exactly, are you going?"

The guy practically wet himself as he stuttered a response along the lines of "I-I-I w-was j-ju, uh-" before I interrupted with a firm threat.

"Because it looks like you have secrets that you're just dying to share. But secrets don't make friends, do they?" Did I use that phrase right? Ah, whatever. I'm sure mine makes more sense. "And you really need those, don't you? So why don't you just pretend you don't have a secret? Maybe the shrimp'll make a friend today."

The three of us laughed. When the laughter died down, I made sure to look stern with my parting words. "If you do share some newly-learned secret today about a certain bird, I'll make sure you can never ride yours again, either." I took a step back and, nodding, Fleck stumbled out the door.

Once I returned back to my room, I slumped onto my bed. I could imagine that the following morning on this dull skyland would be as intensely uneventful as usual before the Wing Ceremony, so I decided it might be best to get an hour or so of shut-eye. My dreams are all weird, with no real substance. One a few weeks ago included Skyloft merely being an enormous bird's tongue. Another showed a large bug carrying a smaller one in a cage. The one last night, though, had some creepy old lady telling me something about one day putting my hand in fate... too. Didn't know what she was talking about. It wasn't really that freaky, but for some reason I awoke completely shaken.

In any case, I could not return to my blissful sleep because of the dream, so I decided to get to the ceremony early.

The weather was as blissful as it had been before the sun rose a few hours ago, though I suppose with a new warmth gracing the environment. It really was a good day for a race. I made my way down to the Light Tower where the race would begin and sat, enjoying the nice weather and the feeling of impending victory. After a while of waiting though, it occurred to me that everyone else seemed to be late. It had been set to start a few minutes ago, but it looked just like a normal day at the Light Tower. Zelda wasn't here, nor was that feeble friend of hers. Just as I began to question what was going on, though, Cawlin appeared with Stritch just behind.

"Groose," he shouted, panting. "They're pushing the ceremony back so Link's bird could be found..."

The news genuinely surprised me. I wouldn't have expected the strict officials to delay an important annual event due to a technicality. I mean, for all they knew, it was due to the kid's incompetence that his bird wasn't around…

I was sure Zelda was the reason behind this. I couldn't help but frown, unable to shake the feeling that she wouldn't have done the same for me.

"Ah, well," I muttered. "So, what? They can't push it back forever. That bird's in a nice secluded spot, too. They wont find it. Everything... will be alright."

Cawlin obviously didn't believe that I was completely not bothered by this. "You seem stressed. Need a massage?"

I smiled. These goofballs always knew what to say. "Sounds good, boys!"

After a few minutes of some nice TLC, Stritch suddenly whined, "...You know, Groose, that sure was a pain, what with all the scratching and pecking." Of course, a good massage can't last long without Stritch hinting that he needs one. Geez.

Ignoring his hints, I responded, "Course it was. You thought a big Crimson Loftwing like that was gonna go down without a fight?" I got the worst of it, you know. "But we got him, and I don't care how tough those birds are supposed to be. He's not getting out of that pen anytime soon, boys."

Suddenly, the two of them stood, so I did so, stretching out and turning to see what they were oggling at.

Imagine my surprise when I saw the dumb kid, shaken, probably looking for his bird. "Whoa! Link! So, uh... yeah. Just how long you been standing there?" Instead of answering, the kid just stared with what I'm guessing was supposed to look like anger. Talk about rude. "What's your problem, anyway? Oh, wait... I got it. You're here to talk about today's race. I can see it in those dopey eyes of yours. They're pleading "Oh, Groose, can you please find it in your heart to let me win today? Please!""

The boys snickered as I circled around the shrimp. "You're just desperate to win so you can get some alone time with Zelda up on the Statue of the Goddess at the end of the ceremony." I stopped circling and glared him down. "Well, sorry, pal. Groose doesn't do charity for wimps. My advice, Work hard and wish with all your heart. You might even come in second. ...Say, come to think of it, how come I don't see your bird? Where is that scruffy pile of red feathers? I can't imagine what could have happened to him. Do you think his tiny brain got confused by all the clouds and got lost?"

"...give him back." He muttered, looking down. The baby looked like he might cry. Pathetic.

"I've got no idea what you're talking about." Bring it home, Groosey. "You know, we're all getting tired of how you never let anyone forget you and Zelda go way back. You've been friends since you were kids? Big deal. It doesn't change the fact that you float though life with your head in the clouds. Would you wake up, straighten up, and grow a backbone already? Dopes like you are dragging our honored academy through the mud."

"And just who might you be talking about, Groose?" came a voice that, at the moment, had the odd power to fill me to the brim with joy and chill me to the bone at the same time.

"Oh. Zelda. Hey. Nah, it's... uh..." I stuttered as she drew near, sporting a fragrance that sent my brain into a twist. She pointed and started yelling, but all I heard was my name. I could only focus on her eyes, the color of that rare time you get to see between the evenings and night, where you look back on wonders and look forward to rest. They were beautiful. Her golden hair shone with the sun, wh-

Wait. Has she been talking all this time?

"Yeah... I suppose..." I said, hoping that answer would suffice, but her gorgeous eyes bored into mine and I mumbled nonsense as I tried to regain my thoughts. Finally, I realized that I wasn't making anything better. "Pfft! Forget it. I wasn't supposing anything, okay?"

There was no response as the three of us headed towards the adjacent diving platform. I turned and waved. "OK, we're outta here, boys! Later, Link! Hope you find your bird, or else you're gonna have to sit out today's race. That could be a major setback toward knighthood, so find that bird or get real used to the taste of failure! It's your special flavor."

As I jumped, I thought some things over as I whistled. I didn't just make myself look like a total idiot in front of Zelda. They can't find that bird. I will win.

I will win, I thought as I flew to who-cares-where. I will win.